Hospital Volunteers

Maintaining a sound volunteer program at our hospitals is fundamental to our success. Each year, we welcome medical and non-medical volunteers from across the world that lay the groundwork for future success of the hospital.

Every volunteer brought with them a strong commitment to teaching our Lao staff and building LFHC’s capacity. Our volunteers come from professions such as nurses, doctors, surgeons, pharmacists, physical therapists, radiologists, English teachers, and biomedical and IT technicians.

The LFHC team prides itself on being inclusive and friendly. We strive to make sure that all volunteers are made to feel welcome and part of our hospital family, and we regularly receive positive feedback on the strong sense of collaboration. There is a high level of on-call support available from the permanent staff and a good social scene within the hospital community. Check out our video to learn more about the volunteer experience at LFHC.

We provide assistance with finding accommodation and day-to-day living in Luang Prabang. We have a list of guesthouses that have been tried and tested by previous volunteers, who offer preferential rates to hospital staff which can range anywhere from $180/month upwards. The hospital is about 4.5km from the town centre, and most people travel to work by bicycle or motorbike, although a tuk-tuk can be affordably arranged. In Luang Prabang we’re blessed with a wide variety of places to eat and drink cheaply, with most meals ranging from $2-5. Luang Prabang is a beautiful town, surrounded by lush mountains and the Mekong River. It’s seen as one of the most desirable places to live in Southeast Asia and has a unique blend of traditional Lao culture and tourist-friendly activities.

Lao Friends Hospital for Children accepts applications for medical volunteers of all different specialties on a rolling and continual basis throughout the year. In addition to the listings below, all trained medical professionals and individuals interested in volunteering are welcome to send their resume to hr@fwablaos.org at any time. Full-time, salaried positions in Laos are listed in Careers.

Our primary focus for medical volunteers is supporting patient care through training our Lao Staff in pediatric medicine. Because of this, we require that all of our medical volunteers have at least 2 years of specialist training in pediatrics, or extended training in emergency medicine with a strong pediatric training component. For this reason, we cannot accept medical students as volunteers.

Angkor Hospital for Children (in Cambodia) has a separate application process. To volunteer at Angkor Hospital for Children, please click here.

The volunteer nurse would work with the Laotian and international team, with the main responsibilities being clinical supervision and teaching Lao nurses. Much of the teaching is done at the bedside although opportunities are available to deliver more formal teaching sessions. The position would ideally require a minimum of 1 month commitment, longer commitments preferred and much appreciated.

This is a unique opportunity for those looking to gain international public health & clinical experience in a developing/lesser-developed country setting. Luang Prabang is a quiet and charming tourist-friendly town along the banks of the Mekong River. There are plenty of opportunities for weekend sightseeing trips in the surrounding area.

Qualifications

• Registered in home country; preference for nurses with sound paediatric experience but not essential. We are also seeking nurses with experience in wound care, neonates, infection control and Emergency care.

• Teaching and supervising experience.

• Committed to providing compassionate care to patients and families.

• Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact, diplomacy and cultural sensitivity.

• Experience practicing medicine in a low or middle-income country would be a plus.

Apply

Please email a cover letter, resume and three references from past employers to nursing@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Nurse”. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.

We are looking for short or long-term volunteer doctors (pediatricians, ER doctors or family doctors) to work in our pediatric hospital in the beautiful town of Luang Prabang, Laos.

Doctors would work with the Laotian and international team, with the main responsibilities being clinical supervision and teaching recent Lao graduates. The position requires a minimum of 1 month commitment, longer commitments preferred and much appreciated.

This is a unique opportunity for those looking to gain international public health & clinical experience in a developing/lesser-developed country setting. Luang Prabang is a quiet and charming tourist-friendly town along the banks of the Mekong River. There are plenty of opportunities for weekend sightseeing trips in the surrounding area.

Qualifications

Registered in home country;

Must have pediatric experience; strong preference for pediatricians

Teaching, administrative and management experience.

Committed to providing compassionate care to patients and families.

Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact, diplomacy and poise.

Experience practicing medicine in a low or middle income country would be a plus.

Apply

This is a volunteer position with a preferred 1 month minimum commitment up to 6+ months. The position is required to be filled throughout the year and as such applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Please email a cover letter and resume to: medicaldirector@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Doctor”. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.

We are looking for occupational therapist, physical therapist, child life specialist or speech/language pathologist.The position would ideally require a minimum of 1 month commitment, longer commitments (6+ months) preferred and much appreciated.

This is a unique opportunity for those looking to gain international health & clinical experience in a developing/lesser-developed country setting. Luang Prabang is a quiet and charming tourist-friendly town along the banks of the Mekong River. There are plenty of opportunities for weekend sightseeing trips in the surrounding area.

Responsibilities

The volunteer therapist would work with the Laotian and international team, with the main responsibilities being clinical supervision and teaching Lao staff. Much of the teaching is done at the bedside although opportunities are available to deliver more formal teaching sessions.

Qualifications

Registered in home country; preference for therapists with sound paediatric experience but not essential.

Teaching and supervising experience.

Committed to providing compassionate care to patients and families.

Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact, diplomacy and cultural sensitivity.

Experience practicing in a low or middle-income country would be a plus.

Apply

This is a volunteer position with a preferred 1 month minimum commitment up to 6+months. The role is required to be filled throughout the year and as such applications will be accepted for various time throughout the year. Please email a cover letter and resume to MedicalEducation@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Therapist”.

The position would ideally require a minimum of 1 month commitment, longer commitments (6+ months) preferred and much appreciated.

This is a unique opportunity for those looking to gain international health & clinical experience in a developing/lesser-developed country setting. Luang Prabang is a quiet and charming tourist-friendly town along the banks of the Mekong River. There are plenty of opportunities for weekend sightseeing trips in the surrounding area.

Responsibilities

The volunteer pharmacist would work with the Laotian and international team, with the main responsibilities being clinical supervision and teaching Lao pharmacists. Much of the teaching is done at the bedside although opportunities are available to deliver more formal teaching sessions.

Qualifications

Registered in home country; preference for pharmacists with sound paediatric experience but not essential.

Teaching and supervising experience.

Committed to providing compassionate care to patients and families.

Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact, diplomacy and cultural sensitivity.

This is a volunteer position with a preferred 1 month minimum commitment up to 6+months. The role is required to be filled throughout the year and as such applications will be accepted for various time throughout the year. Please email a cover letter and resume to MedicalDirector@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Pharmacist”.

The surgical nurse would work within the Laotian and international team, with the main responsibilities being clinical supervision and training. The position would ideally require a minimum of 2 month commitment, longer commitments preferred and much appreciated. Given that we would need to train the nurses for a surgical role, we are really keen to get someone out here from January onwards.

This is a unique opportunity for those looking to gain international public health & clinical experience in a developing/lesser-developed country setting. Luang Prabang is a quiet and charming tourist-friendly town along the banks of the Mekong River. There are plenty of opportunities for weekend sightseeing trips in the surrounding area.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse in home country (current practicing certificate).• Experience in operating rooms as a scrub/surgical nurse essential• Preference for those with paediatric experience.• Teaching and supervising experience.• Committed to providing compassionate care to patients and families.• Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact, diplomacy and poise.• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and a confidence–inspiring attitude.• Experience practicing medicine in a low or middle-income country would be a plus.

Apply

This is a volunteer position with a preferred 1 month minimum commitment up to 6+months. The role is required to be filled throughout the year and as such applications will be accepted for various time throughout the year. Please email a cover letter and resume to nursing@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Surgical Nurse”.

Design and implement processes for the functioning of the sterilization room and operating theatre. Extensive training and education of Laos national staff in the use of sterilization equipment and processes.

Role specification

Ensure operating instruments are sterilized and stored appropriately

Ensure all surfaces, equipment and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected to an operating theatre standard

Responsible for the running and maintenance of the autoclaves

Responsible for ensuring consumable supplies are in stock for operating theatre

Experience in management of operating theatres a bonus

Apply

Please email a cover letter and resume to LFHC@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Sterilization Technician”. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.

The IT specialist wills co-ordinate the day-to-day operations of the basic network and internet services. S/he will be involved in managing the implementation of an ERP and electronic medical record system in conjunction with our IT implementation partner. The IT specialist will supervise and train Lao IT staff as well as have direct input into the IT functions. We are seeking to fill this position immediately.

Qualifications

IT diploma with up-to-date experience either in network management or software development/config- Teaching, administrative or management experience preferred

Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact, diplomacy and poise.

Please email a cover letter and resume to: LFHC@fwablaos.org with the subject “Facility and Maintenance Volunteer.” Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.

This is an ongoing position and applications will be accepted for various times throughout the year.

Position Summary The Biomedical Technician’s primary function is to develop and implement policies and procedures for the upkeep of the biomedical equipment. Including: • Review the policies and procedures for basic machine maintenance including inventory, schedules, and checklists, and update as necessary • Training of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to understand how their good usage practices can also contribute to the longevity of a machine’s life • Liaise with the biomedical technology team at the Provincial Hospital to assess capabilities and possible sharing of tasks • Build biomedical skills to our local engineer staff

Skills/Experience • Degree in biomedical engineering • At least two years’ experience as a biomedical technician • Experience in development of policies and procedures or the updating thereof • Experience in a low resource setting environment desirable

Apply Please email a cover letter, resume and three references from past employers to LFHC@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Biomedical Technician”. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.

This is a volunteer position with a preferred 1 month minimum commitment. Shorter stays of 2 weeks to help perform quarterly maintenance needs are also possible.

The LFHC team prides itself on being inclusive and friendly. We strive to make sure that all volunteers are made to feel welcome and part of our hospital family, and we receive regular good feedback on the strong sense of collaboration. There is a high level of on-call support available from the permanent staff and a good social scene within the hospital community.

We provide assistance with finding accommodation and day-to-day living in Luang Prabang. We have a list of guesthouses that have been tried and tested by previous volunteers, who offer preferential rates to hospital staff which can range anywhere from $180/month upwards. The hospital is about 4.5km from the town centre, and most people travel to work by bicycle or motorbike, although a tuk-tuk can be affordably arranged. In Luang Prabang we’re blessed with a wide variety of places to eat and drink cheaply, with most meals ranging from $2-5. Luang Prabang is a beautiful town to live in, surrounded by lush mountains and the Mekong River. It’s seen as one of the most desirable places to live in Southeast Asia and has a unique blend of traditional Lao culture and tourist-friendly activities.